How Do You Remove A Stamp From A Letter?

How do you remove a stamp from a letter? Almost all stamps can be soaked off the envelope in room temperature water. Almost all stamps can be soaked off the envelope in room temperature water. Just cut...

Almost all stamps can be soaked off the envelope in room temperature water. Just cut the envelope around the stamp (be careful not to cut into the perforation), and put into a quarter inch to half inch of water. Normally after about five minutes it will float off, and that's true for both the traditional lick and stick stamps and the more recent self-adhesive ones.

There are a few that are little bit more difficult. You may have to use slightly warmer water or may have to let them soak for more than five minutes, but most of your stamps will come off with no difficulty at all. After the stamp is separated from the paper, you can lay them down on an old bath towels or paper towels, something that won't stick to the surface.

Most stamps will not curve up, but if they do, you could put them between paper towels in the middle of a heavy book. But for the most part, this isn't necessary.

There are a few stamps that could be damaged by soaking. Some 19th century stamps will basically run or fadeout. And there are a few countries where the self adhesives are more of a challenge - some Brazil stamps, a few French stamps.